What are Strays?
Strays are a rare species of entity that are seemingly born due to unforseen circumstances, if for any particular reason at all. They are born to humans, live as humans, and generally would assume themselves to be humans if never informed of otherwise. Despite this, they are strictly nonanthropes in every way that counts. They appear as humans especially in childhood, though they may begin to diverge more with age. Throughout history, Strays have often been able to sense things that their human peers do not, leading to many historical cases of Stray mediums, psychics, and other paranormal researchers.
Strays are not to be confused with entities who merely walk among humankind, or those who take humanoid forms. An Stray must be born from humans or other Strays. Most continue to live among us their entire lives, with some exceptions. Due to their unpredictable nature and origins, their attributes may differ drastically. Most Strays do not continue aging once they reach their 40s, and it is unlikely that they die of natural, age-related causes.
Why Are There Strays?
The origin and cause of Strays is technically unknown, with most assuming that it is simply within reason that aberrancy, and therefore aberrant beings, are chaotic in nature and may turn up in any place, from any thing, in different degrees. Some Strays are known to have been caused by external factors, such as a generational curse.
Strays share some similarity with the Faux, in that they often lack social or cultural understanding, lack human bodily functions, and have been tied back to historical accounts of body-snatcher or child-swapping stories, such as changelings and doppelgangers. However, they differ greatly in that Strays are born among us, while the Faux enter the bodies of humans from the outside.
Traits Of Strays:
Strays may differ drastically in their aberrant abilities, such as the ability to teleport or planeswalk. Many Strays are incredibly powerful, but are unaware of their abilities or nature. Along with the common entity attributes, some more attributes of unaware Strays include:
Fully grown, powerful Strays have sometimes been able to perform high-stress, difficult attributes, such as shapeshifting, long-distance teleportation, disturbing electromagnetic signals, and much more. Never assume you know every ability of an Stray.
Are Strays Dangerous?
Strays, like their very nature, are unpredictable and a mixed bag. On average, many Strays are sympathetic towards, or will even actively side with, humans over other entities. However, this is not always the case. You should always keep your wits about you, as Strays with malicious intent are happy to use their proximity towards humans as a tactic of manipulation. Many Strays predate on humans, though this is to a smaller scale than with many other species out of guilt. Many Strays are unaware of their nonanthropy, and are as harmless as your average human in terms of temperament. As with most entities, exercise empathy alongside caution.